Count Me In®

Get inspired by Ted Bozarth, founder of the SetFire Foundation, as he shares his journey from IT whiz kid and supply chain veteran to retirement, where his passion turns towards helping the next generation of professionals. In this episode, Ted opens up about what led him to launch a mentorship organization for college students, the story behind the SetFire name, and why meaningful guidance can be life-changing for young adults navigating the leap into adulthood and business.

Discover how the SetFire Foundation's personalized approach to mentoring helps students unlock their potential—with practical tools, real-world support, and an empowering network. Whether you’re an experienced professional wondering if you have what it takes to be a mentor, or you’re curious about giving back to the business community, Ted’s insights on purpose-driven mentoring, finding your passion, and making every day count are sure to motivate.

And if you're an IMA member, you already have a head start—IMA partners with the SetFire Foundation to connect members with students through their mentorship program. This episode is a great next step into getting involved.

Plug in for a conversation that’s equal parts candid, tactical, and uplifting—just what you need to fuel your own spark for growth and connection.

Join us for a lively conversation with James Vanreusel, founder of Vanreusel Ventures, as he shares his unique journey from stock market enthusiast to math major to Wall Street and microfinance leader. James opens up about helping organizations from startups to global nonprofits build strong financial foundations, and he doesn’t hold back on the hard-learned lessons of managing his own firm’s books.

Get insider advice on navigating today’s rapidly changing finance landscape, including when to upgrade your team, the evolving role of fractional experts, and how to make sure your financial processes keep pace with technology. Listen in as James unpacks the real-world impact of AI in accounting, offers tips on using new tools like Claude and shortcut.ai, and explains why learning these skills now can boost your career. Whether you’re leading a growing team or just passionate about leveling up your finance game, this episode offers actionable takeaways with a fresh, honest perspective.

Join Adam Larson for an energizing and thoughtful conversation with Cassandra Worthy, founder of Change Enthusiasm Global and author of the book “Change Enthusiasm.” In this episode, Cassandra gets real about how most change management strategies overlook one key ingredient: our emotions.

Drawing from her personal experience and signature framework, Cassandra Worthy shares how professionals can embrace all their feelings—even the tough ones—during times of major transformation. You’ll hear how to spot emotional signals, turn overwhelm into opportunity, and make meaningful choices aligned with your values, all while staying true to yourself at work.

Whether you’re steering your team through uncertain times or looking for practical ways to grow as a leader, Cassandra Worthy delivers relatable stories and concrete tactics every business professional can use. If you’re ready to rethink how you handle change and make your emotions work for you, you’ll love this episode.

Join us for a candid, inspiring chat with Laura Nespoli, brand strategist and author of Threads of Me and You, who knows what it’s like to chase meaning, connection, and authenticity both at work and in life. Laura opens up about her winding career path, what it felt like to pull on life’s “loose threads,” and the power of embracing vulnerability and wonderlust—her own term for the urge to look inside and grow. Hear real stories about balancing passion with practicality, facing personal and professional patterns head-on, and learning how to truly lead yourself. Whether you’re rethinking your career, searching for purpose, or looking for practical ways to create real change, Laura’s honest insights and actionable takeaways will help you find your footing and rediscover what matters.

Join us for an engaging conversation with Pete Leibman, speaker and author of Stronger Advisor: High-Performance Habits for Consultants, Lawyers, and Advisors. Pete shares his journey from competitive basketball player to NBA front office staff and top executive search recruiter, revealing how peak performance habits from pro sports translate to the business world. Discover why a strong pregame routine matters just as much in the office as it does on the court, how to avoid burnout, and what it really means to be a high-value advisor. Pete breaks down the secrets of managing your energy, using focused work blocks, and making sleep and exercise non-negotiables for success. If you’re interested in performing at your best, without sacrificing your personal life, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration straight from Pete’s experiences and research.

Join us for a must-hear conversation with Clyde Calhoun, Founder & CEO of Root Idea, an AI advisory firm. With a career that’s taken him from nuclear weapons R&D to AI governance, Clyde shares how his curiosity led him to tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges in AI adoption. He breaks down the real difference between governing AI tools and the decisions they influence, explores how guardrails can protect organizations from costly mistakes, and brings you eye-opening stories of both AI success and failure.

Whether you’re a finance leader, running a small business, or just fascinated by how quickly AI is impacting daily operations, this episode gives you a front-row seat to practical advice, real-life examples, and actionable steps for embracing AI while managing the risks. Don’t miss Clyde’s take on what it takes to stay ahead in this rapidly changing landscape!

In this special edition of Count Me In, Adam Larson sits down with Dr. Brigitte de Graaff, IMA's new Board Chair and Assistant Professor at Vrije University in the Netherlands. Brigitte shares how a student job with IMA's CMA program launched a career that never followed a straight line, and why she believes that is a strength, not a detour. She talks about her vision for a more connected IMA community, one that bridges the gap between academics and practitioners, connects experienced leaders with the next generation, and makes sure members everywhere feel at home in the organization. Whether you’ve been a member for decades or are still figuring out how IMA fits into your career, you’ll enjoy this conversation with IMA’s volunteer leader. 

Soufyan Hamid, founder of The Finance Circle, returns to Count Me In to share fresh insights on the evolving role of finance teams. His company specializes in training FP&A leaders and finance professionals to master financial storytelling, deliver impactful presentations, and build strong business partner relationships. Since Soufyan's last appeared in 2024, AI has swept through the finance world, initially shifting focus away from storytelling. Now, many teams are realizing that clear communication and actionable insight remain essential.

In this episode, Soufyan breaks down his storytelling maturity model and offers a practical roadmap to help finance professionals move beyond simply reporting numbers. Listeners will gain valuable advice on how to genuinely influence business decisions, why human skills matter more than ever in the age of automation, and how communication expectations vary around the globe. This episode is packed with actionable tips and forward-looking perspective for anyone invested in the future of finance communication.

Join us for a lively conversation with Marina Ter Sargsyan, Founder and CFO of Crystal Books Consulting, whose 25-year journey spans Armenia to the U.S., banking to nonprofits, and tech transformations to teaching. Marina shares how her love for numbers and problem-solving fueled her passion for helping small businesses and nonprofits tackle complex challenges. You'll hear honest insights on the realities of adopting AI and automation (and how they're not the same thing!), the importance of data readiness, and her unique approach to building a “wish list” before jumping into new tech.

Whether you're a CFO, work in finance, or just love hearing from smart people making a real impact, Marina’s practical wisdom and openness to change will leave you inspired—and maybe even a little more confident about your next big leap.

What does it really take to keep ethics at the forefront as AI changes the game in accounting? In this episode, Tala Khalifeh, Chief of Staff at STAXX and a leader for IMA Shared Interest Groups, joins Adam Larson for an honest, insightful chat about her journey from internal audit to championing ethics in finance. Listen as Tala shares real stories about walking away from unethical workplaces, why human judgment still matters in the age of advanced AI, and how accountants can build trust in financial outputs. Perfect for anyone in accounting or finance curious about where technology and integrity meet, this episode will leave you with practical ideas and a fresh perspective on the future of your work.